Welcome political maturity

The Editor, Sir:

I am most pleased by the act of political maturity demonstrated by Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller on their visiting Haiti together on Thursday to assess first-hand the situation as it relates to the destruction caused by the earthquake and to better decide how best Jamaica may be of assistance, despite our own challenges.

Whatever the reason for that show of unity between our two leaders, it certainly looked good and sent a wonderful message, especially to our people at home, that Jamaica - and not necessarily the Jamaica Labour Party government or the Opposition People's National Party acting independently - commiserates with the people of Haiti.

new approach

Although the prime minister travelling alone should have been sufficient to be Jamaica's representative or to convey the country's sympathy, the divisive nature of our politics would probably prevent too many of our people from being so appreciative.

I wish that such political cooperation would become normative in our political practices at home. For with such a new approach to our politics, there would be a lessening of the partisan discord or political triba-lism that has characterised our politics for too long, and much more could therefore be achieved in advancing national development.

Even though our political process is a competitive one, such a new political order would not in any way jeopardise or deny our political parties the opportunity to mount credible and effective campaigns in their quest for political office. In the sphere of governance, there would be more cooperation than division.

I am confident Prime Minister Golding and Opposition Leader Simpson Miller will summon the courage to be the change agents in this regard. It is full time we commit ourselves to the realisation of a more mature approach to our political practices.

I am, etc.,

KEVIN K.O. SANGSTER

sangstek@msn.com